Paralysis and Redemption in "Island of Lost Girls" Book Review by scribbler
An analysis of the themes of paralysis and redemption in Jennifer McMahon's novel "Island of Lost Girls".
# 152236
| 1,222 words
| 1 source
| MLA
| 2013
| 
Published
on Jan 16, 2013
in
Literature
(American)
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Description:
The paper discusses Jennifer McMahon's novel "Island of Lost Girls" and analyzes the theme of paralysis in the character Rhonda's confusion and inability to interpret the sight of person dressed as a rabbit abducting the child. The paper examines the subsequent theme of forgiveness and redemption and explains that by solving the crime, Rhonda hopes to redeem herself. The paper illustrates how the novel is filled with literary allusions and concludes that ultimately, this novel is about looking at the past anew, forgiving one's self, and moving on.
From the Paper:
"Some people might excuse Rhonda for freezing before such an improbable event: she was distracted, on her way to her first job interview. She is at a critical juncture in her young life: just on her way to begin her life after college. The man in the rabbit suit was driving, of all things, a gold-colored Volkswagen. But this lack of mobility, the reader comes to see, is symbolic of Rhonda's inability to move forward into her new life. When she informs the police of the crime Rhonda protests that she is normally a proactive person who takes charge in a crisis. But the reader learns that she still haunted by the memory of her best friend Lizzy, who was also abducted at the same age as the child in the car."However, unlike the little missing girl of Rhonda's present, named Ernie, Lizzy was apparently taken by someone she knew. Lizzy disappeared and was last seen in the care of her father, Daniel, who had left the town some years previously. Lizzy sent postcards home, saying that she was happy. But Rhonda was never sure that Lizzy was really safe. After all, Daniel had not been given custody of the child, so technically Lizzy had been kidnapped. And as a child Rhonda had been able to do nothing, just like she had done nothing to prevent the girl being taken by the man dressed in the rabbit suit."
Sample of Sources Used:
- McMahon, Jennifer. The Island of Lost Girls. New York: Harper, 2008.
Cite this Book Review:
APA Format
Paralysis and Redemption in "Island of Lost Girls" (2013, January 16)
Retrieved October 01, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/book-review/paralysis-and-redemption-in-island-of-lost-girls-152236/
MLA Format
"Paralysis and Redemption in "Island of Lost Girls"" 16 January 2013.
Web. 01 October. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/book-review/paralysis-and-redemption-in-island-of-lost-girls-152236/>